Reinforced cellular structure



G. ATTERBURYI REINFORCED CELLULAR STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I6. I9I8.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

d .i .l 52,

{'f 'u j I INvENToR l 5 Ziz G. ATTERBUHY. REINFORCED CELLULAR STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I6, 1918.

Patented Aug. 17, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l INVENTOR /a BY ,j ATTOM GROSVENOR ATTERBURY, 0F NEW YORK, N'. Y.

l nnINroncEn CELLULAR STRUCTURE.

Application led April 16,

jT0 all 'whom fmt/ty concern: v Be it known that I, GRosvnNoR A'r'rnn- BURY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have in- 'Vented certain new and useful Improvements in Reinforced Cellular Structures, of which the following is a.' description.

My invention relates to the class of structures in which a reinforcement of a material-.havinghigh tensile stren h is embedded in 'a mass or structure o cementitious material to iform a unitary Istructure in which the properties` of the material in the reinforcement supplement those of the other material. Y l' f Certain ofthe objects of my invention are as follows:

'To provide a structure ofthe class mentioned in which the reinforcement is so disposed as to offer a maximum resistance in proportionto its weight to both erpendicular and inclined stresses to which the structure may be subjected;

To provide a structure in which a uniform stress or blow is immediately transmitted from the point of application to the opposite side of the structure and'thence distributed over the entire structure;

To provide a structurewhich is of a minimumtotal weight in proportion to its strength To provide a structure in which the reinforcement is not'only so disposed as to act with maximum eiliciencyin resisting stresses perpendicular to an outer surface, but which is also inherently 'cross-braced;

To provide a lcellular structure of reinforced cementitious material, having the maximum possibleratio of void to solid consistent with the required structural strength, and which is therefore especially adapted for use in ship or barge construction, although adapted also ,to a wide range of other uses;

And to provide a structure of hih strength and general utility ,which may le readily constructed in factories or yards on the unit principle.I

Further objects of my invention wlll ap.- pear to those skilled in the art from the following description:

Having the foregoing objects in view, the preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a cementitious block or slab having tu re.

Specicationcf Letters Patent. vPatentmfAuf-r.y 17, 1920.

191s. serial No. 228,873.

front and lrear'walls connected by webs which webs, instead of being disposed perpendicular to the front and rear walls as has heretofore been customary, are inclined alternately in op osite directions so that the ends of the we s abut or join each other.

A reinforcing skeleton frame of steel is in- 4corporated -in the blo'ckor slab at the time of casting and is so constructed and disposed as to form two sets of trusses lying in planes perpendicularto the outer surfaces of the structure, the trusses in each set being parallel and the planes of the -trusses in one set intersecting the planes of the trusses in ,the other set at right angles. In addition to the chord members which enter into the two sets of trusses just mentioned, yI provide two additional sets of chord members which cross each other at right angles and .which form ,angles of 45 with the first; mentioned chord members'. These second mentioned chord members form with the struts of the first-mentioned trusses other trusses whose planes are inclined -to the outer surfaces of the struc- The entire arrangement of ychord and strut members forms a series of tetrahedrons arranged in rows, each two tetrahedrons being separated by pentahedrons.

The bases of the pentahedrons are square and may becross-braced by two diagonals the pentahedrons also define edges of adjacent pentahedrons and tetrahedrons. The pentahedrons also form rows, the pentahe- ,drons of one row having their bases in the opposite outer surface of the reinforcement from thosel in the two adjacent rows.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a `part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of the reinforcement used in my improved structure without the cementitious material.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a reinforcement similar to-that shown in Fig. 1, but illustrating a larger section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of a portion of my reinforcement from which certain of the chord members have been removed for 6 -6 of F Fig. 7 is a sectional .view showing a por urposes of illustration, the lstructure in ig. 3 being otherwise similar to that in 1and'2. ,y 4is a sectional view 'of a portion of a. cellu ar structure according tov my invention before the removal of the cores used in casting, the arts being shown as if the observer were loo ng at right angles to the line 4 4 Fig/,5 is an elevational view showin' .my invention as applied to the hull of a ship or 1g. 6 is asectional viewtaken ona line 1g.v5.

v tion of two Slabs embodying my invention and combined with a skeleton frame memf ber which might serve as one of the ribsof a barge. .m2o

Fig. 8 is ,a cross-section taken on aline 8--8 of Fig. 2.

ing, A1-1. and 1,-.' are tw'o sets Iof chord members inthe outer surface of my'. referred form of reinforcement, the mem ers of each set being parallel and crossing the'A chords of theother set:i substantially at right an le's. vIn the opposite surface of `the rein orcement aretwo sets of chord members 2-2 -and 21--2a respectively, which lie iml mediately below 1-1 'and 1- when the reinforcement is`viewed as in Fig. 2. Co-

operating with chord members l and 2are inclined struts, such as 3, which form with members 1 and 2 a vset of perpendicular trusses, while coperating with chord mem- 4 bers 1 and 2v is `a secondl setl of inclined struts, such -as 3a, which form-the members' 1a and 2a f-a second setV of perpendicular trusses extendin at rightangles to the firstmentioned Seto trusses. In addition te. the

chord members land 1a in Ithe'outer surface'.

of the reinforcement IfprovideL-two additional sets of chord members, such as 4 and 4, which connect certainpoints of inter-l section of' the 'members 1 andi-1-,`the members 4 extendingat right .anglcs'to the members 4a and forming squares therewith, the

members 1 and laforming diagonale of the said squares. 'Where' the chords 4 and 4 intersect," there is also, an intersection ofthe members 1 and 1a forming amajor intersection such as is indicatedat 20,-but itwill be seen that the members land 1 are spaced closer than members 4 and 4 so that not every intersection of chords 1' andl is a major-intersection, suchas hasjust been mentioned. In the lower surface of the reinforcement as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, I

also provide chord members in addition tof members 2 and 2a, such additional chord f members bein designated as 5 'and' 5a respectively, an being parallel to 4 and 4a. The'points where chord members 5 and 5 intersectl members 2 end .2a arealso major Referring more` particularly to thei-drawpoints of intersection which 'are designated It will be seen, however, that members 5 are staggered as respects members 4,' and members 5a are staggeredas respects 4*, so that the points of major intersection 20 inV one surface of the reinforcement are staggered with respectvto the vpoints20 in the opposite surface. Moreover, it will be seen that the inclined strut members 3 and 3* vconnect points of major intersection in one plane or face of the reinforcement with points of major intersection in the o posite face of the reinforcement. As will seen from Fi .'1', the strut members define the inclined e ges of pyramids.v of pentahedrons whose bases are in the' surfaces of'the reinforcement, and the said pentahedrons` are separated by tetrahedrons. For instance, a

- tetrahedron maybe readil distinguished in Fig.` 1 as defined by mem ers 4, 3, 3, 3, 3

and 5, one of whose vertices is atV 20. [At the points of major intersection, suchas 2O .and '20, I haveshown tie wires,'such as 9, by which the chord'members and strut members are secured together. However, it will.

be understood that otherlmeans of securing these' members.. together may be adopted at Willa l l r l I When vthe reinforcement shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is viewed from adirecticn at right angles tothe members' 5, 'or at right angles A'to themembers 5, afseries of apertures of .triangular cross-section will be seen to extend through the reinforcement, such apertures being ,indicated in iFig. 4. Conseuently, in order vto provide a lrelatively light, strong, cellular structure, I have found it convenient when casting the cementitious material around the reinforcement to use cores, such as 25,\'of triangular cross-section so arrange/d within the reinforcement as to leave spaces for inclined webs or walls, such as 6, in which all the strut members are embedded, the chord members being also embedded in outer walls, such as 7 and 8 recement-like material which is actually -required in bracing the reinforcing members "and in resisting'A blowsv and stresses is retained, while the eiiciency bothof. the cementitious material and of the reinforcing material is increased.

In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown my cellular reinforced structure as applied to the hull of a ship or barge, the hull of the vessel being indicated as of monolithic .con-

struction. By meansof this design I may also make the voids in my cellular structure sufficiently large in proportion to the solids so that the unit Weight of the structo the unit principle, having shown in said i figure .two slabs, such as 10, embodying my invention, the edges of said slabs 'contacting With a tubular skeleton frame member, such as 11, of octagonal cross-section, which may serve. as the rib of a ship or bar e, or

other structural member as desired.

t the surfaces Where plates 10 contact with the 'member 1l, 'I provide registering grooves or channels, su'ch as 12, Which'may be filled with any suitable material adapted to expand on contact with Water and form a Water-tight joint.

It will be seen, moreover, by providing triangular apertures through the cementitious material thatfthe inclined Webs or Walls not only serve to support and brace the struts of the reinforcement,but themselves act as struts formin with theouter shells or Walls trusses running in directions at right angles .tothe longitudinal axes of lthe triangular apertures. l In cases Where the stress may be applied to the vstructure from either side, as in a steamer, it is necessary that the chord members be used in both the outer and the inner shell, but if the stress is applied in one direction only, as in case of a barge, the chord members in one shell may be omitted. Also in some cases the chord members 1 and 1a may be omitted, since the members 4 and 4, acting with the cementitious material, may be relied on to take up the strains carried by said members l and la.

It Will be understood, also, that I do not limit myself to a cellular structure, but consider as Within the scope of my invention the use of a reinforcement according to my y ideas in a solid slab instead of a cellular structure. While I have described my improved reinforced structure particularly with reference to its use in building ships or barges, it will be understood that it may be applied to a variety of uses, such as roofs,.floors, Walls and footings for columns.

Having thus described my invention, I

i claim 1. The combination with a cellular structure ofv cementitious material of a reinforcement therefor and embedded therein, said,

structure having substantially parallel outer Walls and inclined portions forming with said outer Walls apertures pf triangular cross section, said reinforcement'comprising ,a set of chord members in one of said outer 'walls, said set comprising parallel members Walls to the other and lying within said in clined walls, said last mentioned members forming with said chord members penta- `gons whose bases are in one of said outer Walls and Whose apices arein the other y'of said outer Walls.

2. The combination with a cellular structure of cementitious material of a reinforcement therefor and embedded therein, said structure having substantially arallel outer Walls and inclined portions orming with said outer Walls apertures of triangular cross section, said reinforcement comprising a set of chord members in one of said outer Walls, said set comprising parallel members crossing other parallel members and strut members running from one of said outer Walls to the other and lying Within said inclined Walls, said last mentioned members formin with said chord members pentagons Whose gases are in one ,of said'outer Walls and Whose apices are inith'e other of said duter Walls, and an additinal set of chord members connecting alternate corners in the bases of said entagons.

3. The com ination with a cellular structure of cementitious material of a reinforce'- ment therefor and embedded therein, said structure having substantially parallel outer Walls and Iinclined portions forming ivith said outer Walls apertures of triangular cross section, said reinforcement com rising a set of chord members in one of sait outer Walls, said` set comprising parallel members crossing other parallel members and strut members running from one of said outer Walls to the other and lying Within said inclined Walls, said last mentioned members forming with said chord members pentagons Whose bases are in one of said outer Walls and whose apices are in the other of said outer Walls, and chord members in the other of said outer Walls connecting the apices of said first mentioned pentagons and forming therewith a second set of pentagons Whose bases are in said second mentioned outer Wall and Whose apices are in'said first mentioned outer Wall, the members of said reinforcement forming also tetrahedrons.

4. A reinforcement for cementitiousmaterialcomprising chord members arranged -in parallel planes, and strut members forming with said c'hord members a system of 1ndividually strutted intersecting trusses, the individual trusses of said system lying in planes perpendicular to the planes determined by said chord members.

5. A reinforcement for cementitious material comprisingA a set of parallel trusses` said trusses having chord members and strut members and chord members in addition to 25 of the other at `right angles, and-chord members in addition to those of said trusses v the chords of said trusses, said second chord members forming with said strut members an additional vset of trusses, said strutmemb'ers -lying in the planes of both said sets of trusses, the planes of said two sets of trusses intersecting the planes of said'vchord members at` different anglesand intersecting each.

other at other than .right-angles.

i 6. A reinforcement for vceinentitious material 'comprising a set of spaced parallel ,f.trusses, a second set of spacedparallel trusses intersecting said first set, and chord 30. f J"''-*^-'"tious"structure having reinforcing material members in addition to those of said trusses connecting certain points Aof intersection of.-

the said sets of trusses.

7. A reinforcement for cementitious'ma- `terial comprising a set of individually strutted s Aaced parallel trusses and a second set of in ividuall strutted lspaced parallel trusses, one set o said trusses crossing the other set at right angles.

'l 8. A reinforcement for cementitious material Icomprising aset of spaced parallel trusses,- a second set of spaced paralleltrusses,v the trusses of one set crossing., those connecting certain points of intersection of said trusses to for-m squares.

9. The combination of a cellular cementitherein, said structure having parallel aper- 'tures 'of triangu ar cross-section therethrough, and reinforcin [trusses whose 'strut members are embed ed in the trans'- verse walls of said structure, the planes of said walls-cuttin the planes ofsaid trusses" at other than rig t angles. Y

10. A reinforcement for cementitious ma .terial comprising two sets of L trusses arranged in planes perpendicular tol the outer faces of the reinforcement', theplanes of one set of said trusses intersecting those of the other set, and chord members in addition'to those of said trusses connecting certain of -the points of intersection of the trusses, said.

last-mentioned chord members forming inclined trusses-with the strutsfof one set of said first-mentioned trusses. i

1 1. A' reinforcement for cementitious material comprising a set of parallel trusses arranged in planes perpendicular tothe outer faces of the reinforcement, and chord members in addition to the chords of said trusses forming inclined trusses with the struts of said first-mentioned trusses.

12. A reinforcement for cementitious material comprising two sets of trusses arranged in planes 'perpendicular to the' outer faces of the reinforcement, the planes of one set of said trusses intersecting those of the other set, and chord members in laddition to those of said trusses lconnecting certainv points of intersection of said trusses, said last-mentioned chord members forming in-v clined`trusses with the struts of both sets of said first-mentioned trusses.v

13. The combination of a cellular' sementi# tious structure having reinforcing material therein, said structure having arallel aper tures of substantiallyl trian ar crosssection therethrough, and a set of reinforcing trusses arranged in planes perpendicular to the outer facesof the structure, the` inclined walls separating said apertures cuttingthe planes 'of said trusses at other than right angles, and the strut members of said walls.l f 14. The combination withl a cellular slab of reinforced'fcementitious material of reinforcementv in, said slab' having strut members therein in planes inclinedto the outer surface andthe s b having'an inclined outer edge substantiallf parallel to one of saidiinclined planes determined by said struts.

trusses lying entirely gwithin said 'inclined 15. A reinforcement for cementitious ma" i vterial having vtwo substantially parallelsurfaces comprising members'arranged to'form 'v surfaces and having members forming diag- 5 onals of said square bases.

17. A reinforcement for -c ementitio'us material comprising chordmembers [arranged in 'parallel planes, and strutmembers formintersecting trusses, the individual trusses to the planes'determinedl by said chord mem# lterior to anyother truss.

ioo

ing'with.l saidl chord-members a system of` of said system lying in planes perpendicular A reinforcementforcementitious nia-fjv terial having two substantially'parallel surp. j faces comprising'members arranged to form right pyramids having square l'bases in thev outer surfaces of thereinforcement.

19. A reinforcement for 'cementitious maf terial having two substantiallyparallel sur-V faces and comprising members arranged'to form right pyramids having square bases 1n said surfaces and having members formingdiagonals of said square bases.

terial comprising two sets of trusses arranged in planes perpendicular to the outer faces of the reinforcement', the planes of one set of said trusses intersecting those of the 20. A reinforcementfor cementitious Inaother set and chord members in addition to l i those of said trusses, Vsaid last mentioned.

chord membersintersecting the 'struts of said trusses and forming trusses ,therewith which incline to the outer faces of the reinforcements.-

Venosvnivofn ATTERBURY.'

@bers and the -struts ofone' truss beingeirY- iiol 

